9 Charged with Felony Murder and Robbery in Slaying of Kansas Lawyer Shot to Death at Her Home

Five adults and four juveniles have been charged with first-degree murder and other crimes in the killing last month of a Kansas attorney who was shot to death when she returned to her home after celebrating her 40th birthday.

Natalie Gibson was killed and her female companion was injured July 21, when the two were shot as they pulled into the garage of their Topeka home.

An article in the Capital-Journal says all nine suspects were charged with felony murder. A tip by a police informant broke the case. Eight of the nine suspects are in custody in Shawnee County; one juvenile is still being sought.

In addition to murder, the suspects also are charged with aggravated robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery and aggravated battery, according to the Lawrence Journal World.

The articles do not describe in detail what police think happened at the scene but report that there have been a number of burglaries in the area. Police Chief Ron Miller urged those at a news conference yesterday to follow the case through the legal system for further information about what happened, the Capital-Journal reports.

Miller said the case is highly unusual due to the number of felony murder charges: “Nine counts of felony murder on nine different individuals based on one crime—I don’t know of anybody who’s seen that happen.”

Additional coverage:

ABAJournal.com: “Murdered Topeka Lawyer May Have Interrupted Burglary as She Came Home from Celebrating Her Birthday”